These GIS data contain stream reaches that were identified as habitat
areas for the Snake River Steelhead (STSNR) Evolutionarily Significant
Unit (ESU). These data were used in the critical habitat analysis
conducted by National Marine Fisheries Service's Critical Habitat
Analytical Review Teams. The analysis was conducted as part of the
rule making process for critical habitat. Critical habitat for STSNR is
defined in National Marine Fisheries Service's final rule to designate
critical habitat for 12 ESUs of Pacific salmon and steelhead (2005).
The fish distribution in this data set was compiled from data gathered
from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW), Washington
Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), Idaho Department of Fish and
Game (IDFG),Tribal, and Federal staff biologists and where possible, the
professional opinions of staff from other natural resource agencies.
Additionally, we received comments from the public, federal agencies,
and state and tribal salmon co-managers during the rule making process.
A detailed description of this process can be found in the following
document:
Final Assessment of NOAA Fisheries' Critical Habitat Analytical
Review Teams For 12 Evolutionarily Significant Units of Pacific
Salmon and Steelhead, NOAA Fisheries Protected Resources Division,
2005.
These data were compiled from statewide data sets, public comments,
and the expert opinions of our Critical Habitat Analytical Review
Teams (CHART). Within the Idaho portion of the ESU, we started
with 1:100,000 scale fish distribution from IDFG. We acquired a
database from IDFG which they refer to as the BLM Fish Presence
Database (IDFG 2003). The data came from an earlier database
originally mapped in 1991 based on a Smolt Density Model
developed by the Northwest Power Planning Council. Since 1991,
IDFG has made some improvements to the data by noting where documented observations have occurred and where suitable habitat is
blocked by irrigation withdrawals. However, when we compared the
distribution data with GIS data acquired from the Payette National
Forest, it was apparent that there was additional data available that
would lead to important improvements to the Snake River Basin steelhead
distribution. After reviewing the database and after discussions with
staff at IDFG, we decided to solicit information about the distribution
of Snake River Basin steelhead from the BLM, USFS, and the Salmon River
Subbasin Planning Team. More information about the Idaho portion of the
data can be found in the documents referenced in the 'Supplemental
Information' section.
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On the Washington side of the ESU we started with 1:24,000 scale fish
distribution data from WDFW. On the Oregon side of the ESU we started
with 1:100,000 scale enhanced fish distribution data from ODFW. The ODFW
mapped fish distribution on 1:24,000 scale USGS topographic maps and
transferred the data to a 1:100,000 scale hydrography layer. However,
some of the streams found on a 1:24,000 scale map are not found in the
1:100,000 scale hydrography. These non-matching streams are recorded as
points representing the upper extent of fish distribution. We created new
stream lines for these 1:24,000 scale points.
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These data describe occupied and unoccupied habitat areas, as well as
freshwater and estuarine spawning, rearing, and migration areas (i.e.
Primary Constituent Elements or PCEs) identified in the final rule to
designate critical habitat. The distribution of PCEs in these databases
represent the areas where salmon and steelhead have been observed or where
they are presumed to occur based on the professional judgment of
biologists familiar with the watershed. Unoccupied areas were identified
where the CHART determined that the habitat areas may be essential for
conservation of the ESU. However, known of the unoccupied areas were
included in the final rule to designate critical habitat for the STSNR
ESU.
Purpose
To map salmon and steelhead distribution for use in the rule making
process for critical habitat.
Supplemental_Information
A full report on the methodology used in the creation of the Critical
Habitat databases can be found in the following documents: (1) Habitat
Distribution for 12 Evolutionarily Significant Units of Pacific Salmon and
Steelhead in Oregon, Washington, and Idaho, Northwest Region Protected
Resources Division, National Marine Fisheries Service, 2005; (2) Final
Assessment of NOAA Fisheries' Critical Habitat Analytical Review Teams For
12 Evolutionarily Significant Units of Pacific Salmon and Steelhead,
Northwest Region Protected Resources Division, National Marine Fisheries
Service, 2005.

These data are supplemental to the Final Rule: Designation of Critical
Habitat for 12 Evolutionarily Significant Units of West Coast Salmon and
Steelhead in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho, August 2005. These data are
not intended to replace the information contained within the final rule
for critical habitat. There are habitat areas in this data set which
are excluded from critical habitat due to consideration of economic and
other relevant impacts. For an exact description of critical habitat,
please consult the Federal Register notice for critical habitat.
These data describe the best available information at the time of the
proposed rule for critical habitat. The data describe habitat areas
that are currently occupied by the species. However, due to natural
variations in run size, water conditions, or other environmental
factors, some areas displayed may not be used by a species of fish on an
annual basis. Likewise, there may be additional habitat areas, not
captured by these data, that are utilized by the species.

In the final stages of the rule making process for critical habitat,
we received comments and new information about the distribution of the
ESU. During the final review of public comments and new information
we revised the distribution of the ESU and made changes to the areas
that were excluded from critical habitat. For a more detailed review
of the changes between the proposed and final rule please refer to the
final determination for critical habitat, and supporting documents.